Kroger Columbus Store ‘WineStation’ Allows Customers to ‘Try Before They Buy’
An automated, temperature-controlled wine dispensing and preservation system in place at a Kroger store in Columbus, Ohio, enables customers to taste-test a variety of wines prior to purchase. The kiosk is currently in place in the newly expanded Bistro department at the Kroger-Columbus Brewery District store located at 150 W. Sycamore St. Store manager Henry Walton and his staff recently introduced Napa Technology’s WineStation Intelligent Dispensing Systems to help customers appreciate wine selections at their peak.
“The WineStation allows us to take the mystique and mystery out of tasting and buying of wines for our guest,” said Walton. “Customers can now taste and learn about new wine varietals, brands and vintages or signature wines they’ve heard so much about in the past. We also offer customers Kroger-Bistro tasting cards, which allow them to sample a taste, half or full glass for their enjoyment.”
WineStation’s CleanPour technology, which assures the taste, bouquet and complexity of the wine for up to 60 days, is another nifty advantage offered by the system, which Walton said “provides intelligent equipment and ease of use so that … customers can explore, taste and enjoy wines from around the world, at their leisure, while shopping for the right wine to fit the occasion.”
Kroger operates about 2,500 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banners.
“The WineStation allows us to take the mystique and mystery out of tasting and buying of wines for our guest,” said Walton. “Customers can now taste and learn about new wine varietals, brands and vintages or signature wines they’ve heard so much about in the past. We also offer customers Kroger-Bistro tasting cards, which allow them to sample a taste, half or full glass for their enjoyment.”
WineStation’s CleanPour technology, which assures the taste, bouquet and complexity of the wine for up to 60 days, is another nifty advantage offered by the system, which Walton said “provides intelligent equipment and ease of use so that … customers can explore, taste and enjoy wines from around the world, at their leisure, while shopping for the right wine to fit the occasion.”
Kroger operates about 2,500 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banners.